Vijayawada: A group of Muslims on Tuesday staged a protest opposing YSRC’s decision to field Vellampalli Srinivas in Vijayawada West assembly constituency.The party’s minority wing leader M S Baig quit YSRC on Tuesday and alleged that Y S Jaganmohan Reddy has betrayed Muslim minorities.The Muslim community plays a significant role in Vijayawada West constituency. Around 45,000 Muslim votes can tilt the outcome in a close contest.In 2014, Jaleel Khan won an YSRC ticket. But he later joined TDP. This time, TDP has fielded Khan’s Shabana Khatun.Baig is son of former legislator M K Baig. He played a key role in the party after Jaleel Khan left in Vijayawada West and was angling for the seat.YSRC has given the ticket to former legislator Vellampalli Srinivas, factoring in various caste equations. Vellampalli Srinivas, who fought 2014 elections on a BJP ticket, had lost to Jaleel Khan.“Jagan had promised me that he will give Vijayawada West ticket to Muslim candidates. He has not kept his word. Giving the seat to Vellampalli, who is closely associated with RSS, would not work. Vellampalli has changed four parties in five years. Jagan has trusted him and it shows his vote bank politics,” said Baig.A few Muslim associations came out to back Baig and said they would teach YSRC a lesson in coming elections.Meanwhile, Vellampalli Srinivas has ignored the kerfuffle and intensified his campaign in the constituency. Vellampalli camp said they would work along with minority communities.

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